The Royal Australian Air Force has positive ly identified the
wreck of a RAAF World War II Kittyhawk fighter aircraft lost in action
off Irian Jaya in 1944.

The pilot’s remains have been positively identified
as those of Flying Officer Maurice Ambrose Bellert of the RAAF’s No
82 Squadron.

Flying Officer Bellert was attacking a Japanese position
when his aircraft was hit by ground fire and crashed into the ocean
on October 18, 1944.

The Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Mr
Bruce Scott described the recovery as “a remarkable story of international
cooperation and professionalism by members of the Australian Defence
Force.”

“In a truly international spirit of understanding,
the Indonesian authorities facilitated diplomatic clearances and the
Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) also assisted in the recovery operation,”
he said.

The downed Kittyhawk (Serial number A29-641) was discovered
by an Indonesian fisherman in about 27 metres of water several kilometres
north-west of Manokwari in Irian Jaya. The fisherman reported his find
to Mr Max Ammer, a diving operator and former Dutch commando, who confirmed
that the remains of the pilot were still in the cockpit.

In a joint recovery operation, the Air Attache from
the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, Group Captain Terry Delahunty, flew
an Australian Defence Force team from Jayapura to Manokwari as Mr Ammer
navigated his boat 370 kilometres to the dive site.

Led by RAAF Squadron Leader Ian Honey from the Australian
High Commission in Port Moresby, the recovery team also comprised Major
Julian Scamp, Lieutenant Commander Peter Manz and his photographer wife
Tammy Peluso-Manz, and Mr Ammer of the Irian Diving Company.

Severe time restrictions because of the dive depth,
poor visibility and the problem of heavy surf near the site meant the
team had to use ingenuity and daring to achieve their goal.

Once recovered the remains were positively identified
by a RAAF expert Group Captain Chris Griffiths, a leading forensic odontologist
from Westmead Hospital, Sydney.

The pilot’s son and only child, Mr Allan Bellert
of Canberra, has received the news he awaited all his life. Although
only two years old when his father was lost in action, Mr Bellert had
always hoped his father’s aircraft would be found. Unfortunately his
mother, Nea ‘Raie’, who never remarried, died in Canberra several
years ago.

Mr Bellert said his father grew up in the Queensland
town of Bundaberg and, inspired by the town’s famous aviator, Bert
Hinkler, Maurice Bellert was among the first Queenslanders to join the
Empire Air Training Scheme.

Mr Scott said the RAAF would assist the family to
attend a full military funeral at the Lae War Cemetery in mid-April.

For further information:

Michael Priebe — Minister’s Office
Ph 02 6277 7820 or 0418 482 514

Squadron Leader Mark Quilligan Ph 02-6265
2661 or 0419 220 890

Underwater vision of the recovery, stills of the aircraft (including
a shot taken of the wreck from 4000 feet) and pictures of Flying Officer
Bellert are available from the Defence Public Affairs Electronic Media
Unit on 02-6266 666 9 or 0418 633 025.

NOTE:

ALLAN BELLERT AND THE MINISTER WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR
A DOORSTOP AT 1245 AT THE MINISTERIAL ENTRANCE OF PARLIAMENT HOUSE.